Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Lawmakers set to overhaul basic education -- if they had the money

The Legislature passed an education overhaul, but finding money to fund the plans will be difficult.

By Eric Stevick
Herald Writer

 Don't expect any time soon all-day kindergarten, increased classroom time and more chances for high school students to earn credits.

All are part of a major overhaul to the state's K-12 basic education system passed by the House and Senate.

The legislation defines what the state should do to bolster education, but begs the question: Where's the money going to come from?

Backers, including the Washington State PTA and League of Education Voters, say the proposal represents a long-term commitment to pay for schools, which they argue have been chronically underfunded. Full funding for the changes is supposed to be in place by 2018, according to the legislation.

"It's a commitment to the future," said Nathan Olson, a spokesman for the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Money -- or the lack of it -- is what worries state Rep. Mike Hope, R-Lake Stevens, a member of the House Education Committee.

"We are having a hard time paying for education today," he said. "How are we going to pay for it when we are adding other things to it? I worry about the unfunded mandates."

State lawmakers are wrestling with a $9.3 billion shortfall over the next biennium, and deep cuts to education are expected. As many as 3,000 teachers across the state could lose their jobs after a final budget is adopted.

Washington Education Association President Mary Lindquist had harsh words for House Bill 2261, which passed the House on Monday.

"Legislators are poised to cut thousands of teaching jobs, slash successful education programs and pack our students into overcrowded classrooms," Lindquist said in a news release. "Instead of finding a solution to the immediate funding challenge, HB 2261 offers the false promise that someday, the Legislature will live up to its constitutional duty and fully fund our children's education."

Among other things, the basic education bill would allow longer school days, add all-day kindergarten and give high school students options to earn more credits. It also would change how money is given to schools and set performance standards for students.

Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, voted in favor of the basic education legislation.

He said work done now by task forces studying education spending issues will put schools at the front of the line when the economy turns around.

"As we climb out of the recession, different issues are going to come up that are going to compete for money," Hobbs said. "We have to make sure education is the paramount duty of the state and what we are going to do first. That's why it's so important to do this now."

The bill approved Monday night is the first rewrite of the state's definition of basic education since 1979.

Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, chairwoman of the Senate education committee, said it will eventually make a difference.

"We can do a slow phase-in as the economy improves," she said.

The bill still must be signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, e-mail stevick@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA